Spokeswoman Victoria Nethercott said there were “many reasons” people left ashes with them

She said: “For some, collecting them is too painful, in some cases it can be down to a breakdown in family communications. Others simply need more time to decide what to do.”

The firm, which has three branches in Southampton, is now trying to track down relatives. Ms Nethercott said: “We feel that it is our responsibility to now try and reunite these families with the cremated remains of their loved ones.

“It is only right that every individual is given a peaceful final resting place.”

The National Association of Funeral Directors believes up to 250,000 sets of ashes are still unclaimed nationwide and chief executive Alan Slater said some of them date back “50 or 60 years”.

He said: “It is our suggestion funeral directors retain cremated remains for a minimum of five years, after which they can dispose of them in an appropriate manner, providing they have made every effort to trace the next of kin.”